A Candle for Gary

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. — Acts 2:21

Today we received this candle in the mail from the funeral home that we used here in San Diego. Very thoughtful.

Also very beautiful. It brought tears to our eyes.

Here's the poem:

When I'm Gone

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done,
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day,
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,
And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
— Mrs. Lyman Hancock

God Has Given Me a Heritage

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. — Psalm 61:4-5

Sunday I had the privilege of working in our church preschool during the early service. What a blessing to share God's Word with children from under 2 to almost 5. 

They loved looking in my hand mirror as we sang, "God cares about [Josh]" to each child. And when we talked about Jesus dying for us, one of them said, "That makes me sad," and I had to agree, it makes me sad, too. 

But that's not the end of the story. And their faces brightened up as we talked about how Jesus came alive again and now lives in heaven. We practiced telling our friends, "Jesus loves you."

And we finished with blowing and catching bubbles and dancing with joy.

The sun is shining and the birds are singing. What a beautiful Palm Sunday day.

You, God, have heard my prayer. You have given me the heritage of these who fear your name.

Life's a Roller Coaster

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2

Take a walk on the beach

When you're diagnosed with the big C, your world becomes a blur of conflicting emotions. 

Here's how one friend described it:

"Though the medical science has advanced in the almost 10 yr since my cancer treatments, the roller coaster of emotions are the same."

Tears can come at the most unexpected times, even when you don't feel especially sad. So taking time to appreciate the beauty in the sunrise or watching the waves lapping onto the shore can help keep our feet on solid ground.

Finding something especially enjoyable or taking time for oneself can help, too. For me, this was a good time to get a pedicure, have a favorite chocolate, walk on the beach with my daughter, chat with my husband, and sip an espresso with a friend.